Portland TimbersDarren Mattocksand Alvas Powellhelped the Jamaican National team fight their way to victory Thursday night, as the Reggae Boyz knocked Canada out in the CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinal with a 2-1 win at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.
The Jamaicans gave themselves an early lead in the game when Mattocks (90 minutes, 2 assists) made a perfect pass through the heart of the box, where Shaun Francis’ left-footed one-timer dinged off the crossbar and into the back of the net in the sixth minute.
The score remained 1-0 through the end of the first 45, before Jamaica doubled up the Canadians in the second half.
Mattocks resumed his role as playmaker in the 50th minute, when the Timbers forward laid off a pass under pressure from the top of the box to Romario Williams. Williams took two touches to his right before striking the ball through traffic. Canada’s Milan Borjan made a diving save attempt but his tip was not enough to prevent the goal.
Timbers teammate Powell also played the full 90 minutes for Jamaica and registered two shots in the win.
With the win, the Reggae Boyz will travel to Pasadena, Calif. Sunday to take on Mexico in the Gold Cup semifinals at the Rose Bowl (6pm PT, FS1).
